Members of the European Parliament said on Monday that Serbia’s government repeatedly asserts that joining the European Union remains its strategic objective, but they warned that such declarations are frequently not matched by the country’s actions.
What Parliament is doing
The European Parliament issued a statement drawing attention to a gap between rhetoric and practice in Serbia’s approach to EU accession. MEPs emphasised that while Serbia continues to present EU membership as a long-term aim, this stance needs to be demonstrated through concrete behaviour aligned with EU values.
Why it matters
The Parliament’s message underscores an expectation that candidate countries not only declare membership ambitions but also implement policies and reforms consistent with the values and standards required by the EU. According to the Parliament’s press notice, MEPs pointed out that Serbia’s stated strategic goal is often not reflected in its actions.
What happens next
The press release conveys Parliament’s position but does not set out specific legislative steps, timelines or procedural measures. It serves as a public reminder from MEPs to Serbia’s authorities about the importance of aligning declared objectives with tangible progress towards EU norms and commitments.
Source: European Parliament press release
